OG Anunoby limped off in the first half of Friday night's game at Madison Square Garden and never made it back to the floor, a gut-punch for a Knicks team staring down the playoffs. The veteran wing exited early in the second quarter after appearing to tweak his left ankle and was escorted to the locker room for evaluation. With the postseason less than a week away, the Knicks are now waiting on imaging and medical updates to find out how serious the setback is.
According to RotoWire, Anunoby checked out with 7:30 remaining in the second quarter and was quickly ruled out for the remainder of the contest. RotoWire reported that he finished with two points on 1-for-4 shooting, five rebounds and three assists in roughly 15 minutes of action. With the playoffs right around the corner, that abbreviated line means far more than just a quiet box score.
The Knicks' public-relations account later announced he would not return, and reporters on site noted that Anunoby did not come back out after halftime. As DraftKings reported, the team relayed the news through its PR channel. Sportsnet also noted that it was not immediately clear exactly when the ankle issue first occurred.
Playoff Clock Already Ticking
The NBA's calendar has the first round set to begin April 18, giving New York roughly a week before Game 1 to get test results and a firm diagnosis. Per NBA.com, postseason play starts next weekend. Team sources told reporters that the Knicks will wait for imaging and provide updates after further tests, a cautious approach that RotoWire also highlighted.
Anunoby No Stranger To The Injury Report
This season has already featured a couple of detours for Anunoby. ESPN and others reported that he was sidelined in November with a left hamstring strain that required re-evaluation, and Sports Illustrated detailed a brief absence in February caused by a toenail avulsion. With those prior issues in the rearview, any fresh ankle concern lands heavier for a team that leans on his perimeter defense and versatility.
If Anunoby is held out beyond a day or two, the Knicks at least have built-in contingency plans. Veterans such as Josh Hart, Jordan Clarkson and Landry Shamet have been cited as the likeliest rotation answers in his absence. CBS Sports notes that those players have already covered minutes when Anunoby has missed time, and the organization is widely expected to be cautious about rushing him back.
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